Women's Basketball Wins Seventh-Straight in Fourth Quarter Thriller

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's basketball team captured its seventh straight victory, defeating UNI for the first time since 2014. The Redbirds improve to 8-4, 1-0 MVC and remain undefeated at home.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The reigning MVC Player of the Week TeTe Maggett guided the Redbirds to a 66-64 victory over UNI, leading all scorers and adding a new career high 29 points.

The Panthers led for the bulk of the second half, only allowing ISU to lead by two early in the third quarter.   With 8:17 on the clock in the fourth period, the Redbirds trailed by nine. Simone Goods cut the deficit to five with a quick four-point output. The senior forward added a jumper in the paint, and sank two at the line. Ellie Howell responded for the Panthers, but ISU answered with a big comeback. Maggett did not miss in her next four attempts. The junior guard sank two free-throws and back-to-back 3-pointers to put ISU in the lead with 4:12 to play. Howell fought back and added a long shot for UNI to tie the game at 62 all. UNI added a bucket, but was followed with a layup from Lexi Wallen to tie again with just over three minutes to play. Both teams remained tough on defense, but the Panthers fell through as Maggett was fouled and sent to the line. Maggett sank both shots and the 'Birds held off the Panthers for the remainder of the game, earning their longest win streak since the 2012-13 season.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Maggett added a new career high with 29 points, shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc and perfect from the charity stripe (4-for-4). Maggett has set a new personal best in ISU's last two contests and has not missed a shot from the free-throw line in either game, netting 10-of-10 in win over UMKC Sunday.
• Wallen has quickly made an impact for the squad as she followed Maggett with 14 points for the 'Birds while grabbing eight rebounds. Both stats are a new career high for the senior forward.  
• Simone Goods contributed 11 points, four assists and two blocks for ISU. This is her second-straight game beating her personal best in assists.
• ISU has out-rebounded its last 10 opponents, beating UNI to the boards tonight 32-28.
• Viria Livingston put UNI's offense to the test tonight. The senior guard took off with five steals and grabbed five offensive rebounds for Illinois State.
• UNI was led by Ellie Howell (14 pts) and Cynthia Wolf (12 points).

UP NEXT
The Illinois State women's basketball will face the Drake Bulldogs on Sunday, Jan. 6 with tip-off scheduled for 2 p.m.

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